Duke, Coach K win Zion Williamson sweepstakes

Basketball star Zion Williamson announces Duke as his college choice from Spartanburg Day School on Saturday, January 20, 2018. He chose between Clemson, South Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina. (Photo: Ken Ruinard/Independent Mail)

SPARTANBURG — The looming decision did not appear to weigh Zion Williamson down Friday night at the Spartanburg Day School gym as he soared to dunk over defenders.

But it agonized him through the remainder of evening.

For the past two years, the most prestigious college basketball programs courted Williamson intensely. He had finally chosen one, but his decision still was not quite firm.

“I was still kind of like not sure about it,” Williamson said Saturday night during a ceremony inside that same small gym. “But when I woke up this morning, I knew it was the school for me.”

With assurance and exuberance, Williamson announced that he will continue his career at Duke University. He pulled a bright blue hat over his head and hugged his mother’s neck. Williamson chose to announce his long-awaited decision Saturday because it was his mother’s birthday.

Williamson repeatedly asserted how much he valued his family, as many of his relatives stood in support adjacent to the stage. The family environment he felt among Duke’s players and coaches heartened his pledge to the Blue Devils.

Fans cheer as basketball star Zion Williamson announces Duke as his college choice from Spartanburg Day School on Saturday, January 20, 2018. He chose between Clemson, South Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina. (Photo: Ken Ruinard/Independent Mail)

Williamson will easily plug into the powerful machine at Duke. Mike Krzyzewski has coached countless five-star recruits. He has shepherded prepackaged stars to the National Basketball Association.

Williamson is ranked second among seniors in ESPN’s recruiting ratings. Duke also has signed the first, third and 10th ranked players in the class.

“Duke stood out because the brotherhood represents a family,” Williamson said. “Coach K is the most legendary coach, and I feel like going to Duke University, I can learn a lot from him during my time there.

“Coach K, when he came to my house and spoke to me and my family, it wasn’t just about basketball and what he could do for me in like one year. It was how he could build Zion as a brand on and off the court for the next 20 years and the rest of my life.”

Williamson considered additional national powerhouses North Carolina, Kansas and Kentucky. He also genuinely contemplated staying close to home to play for Clemson or South Carolina.

The Palmetto State does not produce as many gems as larger surrounding states. But when a rare jewel is discovered, local schools rarely leave the mine with it. In five of the last seven years, the top recruit in the state has signed with a school outside of the state.

“I had to go to the school that was best for me,” Williamson said. “I still love my state to death. I’m always going to represent South Carolina wherever I go.”

Basketball star Zion Williamson announces Duke as his college choice from Spartanburg Day School on Saturday, January 20, 2018. He chose between Clemson, South Carolina, Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina. (Photo: Ken Ruinard/Independent Mail)

Krzyzewski has secured more than a rare gem. For this state, Williamson was the Hope Diamond. His weight in this community measured beyond 45 carats. He is a cut above other homegrown stars.

His highlight reels loop incessantly on YouTube. He has attracted 1.1 million Instagram followers. The official Duke men’s basketball page has approximately 604,000 followers.

Williamson has attracted more than 98,000 Twitter followers, more than the Clemson and South Carolina programs combined.

Williamson’s celebrity will cast even more limelight on the Duke program. He will be the main attraction, but on a roster with several other NBA prospects, he will not need to be the main option.

Joining the college basketball aristocracy allows Williamson to develop his skills and prepare for a professional career while sharing the pressure of delivering a championship with four other blue-chip recruits.

From his first dribble at Clemson or South Carolina, Williamson would be forced to carry the aspirations of an entire community on his broad shoulders. That is not his responsibility.

His only obligation is to his dreams. Unfortunately, this state must watch another favorite son pursue his dreams from a distance.

But all Williamson owes this community is to represent it and himself with the same class, dignity and pride he has exhibited thus far.